The prime minister vowed to work with indigenous leaders to address the unique challenges that native communities in Canada face.

In America, native populations face similar social and economic plights. A 2014 Pew Research Center report found that one in four Native Americans are living in poverty. People living in these communities also suffer from higher unemployment rates and lower levels of education.

To his credit, President Barack Obama has put forward initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Native American youth and increased federal aid.

"My administration is determined to partner with tribes, and it's not something that just happens once in a while," Obama said. "It takes place every day, on just about every issue that touches your lives. And that's what real nation-to-nation partnerships look like."